The Congress: R.I.P.

Though he had a virus ailment, a touch
of pneumonia and a 100.2° temperature, Senate Majority Leader Mike
Mansfield left his bed at Bethesda Naval Hospital, bundled up against a
chill wind, and was chauffeured to the Capitol. Mansfield had made sure
in advance that other Administration stalwarts would also be on hand.
As for the G.O.P., Minority Leader Everett Dirksen warned potential
no-shows: "By God, you're going to be here." To a man, they were. Thus,
after a Dirksen-led filibuster had tied up the Senate for a total of 13
days in an attempt to thwart the Administration's...